SA government prepared to make SkyCity Adelaide changes
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is not opposed to changing the mode of operation of the SkyCity Adelaide casino. An investigation led by former Supreme Court judge Brian Martin KC is currently underway to determine SkyCity’s suitability to hold onto its casino license.
The inquiry, which has been ongoing since July, was ordered by Dini Soulio, the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner. It will be concluded and submitted as soon as Wednesday.
READ: SkyCity Adelaide under inquiry from SA gambling regulator
On Tuesday, the South Australian Premier revealed that the entire investigation process was being closely observed. Malinauskas also stated that, after the investigation, if SkyCity was found not to have been operating the casino in an acceptable manner, the government could make some significant changes to how the gaming venue was run.
“If the government forms the view that SkyCity hasn’t been operating the casino consistent with a position of integrity, then we stand ready to make any necessary changes,” the Premier disclosed.
“But let’s allow the appropriate process to be completed. We’ve initiated an independent review. We want to do that properly.”
Malinauskas also divulged that the government hoped SkyCity Casino operated with “integrity and abide by the law”. He added that he expected that the management in place was “committed to that exercise”.
“But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be subject to serious scrutiny because it is a privilege owning and operating a casino,” Malinauskas continued.
“We expect them to have the best interests of the South Australian community at heart. And the Brian Martin review allows examination around that.”
The South Australian Premier promised that the Martin review would be publicly released unless there was sufficient reason to withhold it.
Australian financial crime regulator AUSTRAC filed court proceedings against SkyCity in December. Prior to that, the casino operator was involved in an 18-month investigation as part of AUSTRAC’s compliance campaign spanning the entire industry. The regulator alleged that SkyCity had faulted in its handling of counter terrorism financing and anti money laundering (CTF/AML) regulations.
According to court documents, SkyCity received dirty cash, which seemed to have been buried, and money in plastic bags during transactions. The Australian watchdog stated that the casino was conscious of information claiming that some of its gamblers had dealings with organised crime.
AUSTRAC’s statement of claim pointed out 59 cases of suspect dealings with customers, and that the North Terrace casino recorded a combined turnover of $4 billion from said customers from December 2016. The customers recorded around $74 million in losses for that period.
Out of the gamblers, one person — who identified their occupation as a “meatpacker” — turned over more than $85 million in four years. They allegedly informed the casino employees that they had recently sold their house and business.
SkyCity released a statement, disclosing that its Adelaide operation had complied with the independent Martin review and supplied all information and documents requested. The casino operator also said it looked forward to future cooperation with Soulio after the investigation report is submitted.
“Continuous improvement to our AML/CTF and host responsibility programs is a key priority for SkyCity Adelaide,” SkyCity’s statement read.
